The increasing demand for data center operations, driven by digital transformation, cloud computing, and the exponential growth of data to fuel artificial intelligence, necessitates a significant amount of energy.

At the Pittsburgh Technology Council’s Data Center and Energy Innovation Summit this spring, an "All of the Above" energy strategy was deemed essential for data center growth to ensure a reliable supply of power while fostering sustainability.

This approach entails the widespread adoption of clean and renewable energy sources alongside traditional ones. For instance, Goldman Sachs Research has projected a 160% growth in data center power demand by 2030, emphasizing the need for a diverse mix of energy solutions to meet this surge efficiently and sustainably[1].

Moreover, the Department of Energy (DOE) underscores the importance of a portfolio approach to solving the data center energy puzzle. This perspective advocates for using a mix of energy sources, including renewables and possibly nuclear, to ensure the resilience and sustainability of power supplies to data centers. The DOE's stance acknowledges that there isn't a single solution to the energy challenges posed by the expanding data center industry. Instead, a comprehensive mix of technologies and energy sources is necessary to meet the growing demands while minimizing environmental impact[2].

How can an "All of the Above" approach to energy production for data centers balance the need for continuous, reliable energy supply with the imperative of reducing carbon footprints and promoting environmental sustainability?

This issue of will explore the approach looking at the Pittsburgh region’s unique strengths in fossil fuels, renewables and advanced technologies that can squeeze the efficiency of every electron heading toward a data center. Explore the issue below:

Energy Innovation

Embracing Pennsylvania's complete energy portfolio from fossil fuels to renewables and everything in between. Learn how CNX is recapturing methane from mines, how Web3Rivers is turning waste into energy and how Peoples Natural Gas is readying for increased energy demands.

Infrastructure

How Duquesne Light, ASCO and LaFace McGovern are building resiliency across our power grids.

Traditional Energy

How resource adequacy and grid planning are setting the stage for a coal comeback.

Industry Insights

Babst Calland's Moore Capito walks us through a data center/energy gold rush.

Emerging Tech

A look at how supercapacitors can help data centers manage power supplies.

Op-Ed

Natural gas will power the AI revolution.